Packing.



W. N. MEARS.

PACKING.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 17, 1907.

' Patented Aug. 11, 191% 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

6 3 w 4 9 5 9 m 3 F a 3 w 2 3 e 4 w 3 I W. N. MEARS.

PACKING.

APPLIGATION FILED OCT. 17, 1907; 1,106,467. 1 Patented Aug. 11,1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ice.

WILLIAM NICHOLS MEARS, or naooxnmn, massacnusnrrs.

PACKING.

Specification. of Letters-Patent. Patented A g; 11, 11914.

Application filed October 17, 1907. Serial No. 397,788.

. To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM NIcHoLs MnARs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brookline, in the county of Norfolk and State-of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Packing, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters onthe drawings representing like parts.

. This invention relates to packings which may be of general application. In the present embodiment of my invention the same is illustrated as used .in connection withan internal combustion engine, but it is to be understood that it may be employed in any desired relation, as, for example, in

engines of any desired type, in pumps and the like.

' In order that the principles of the invention may be thoroughly understood Ihave disclosed a single type or embodiment of the invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a longitudinal central section taken through the main operating parts of the internal combustion engine and repre-' senting the rotor anda portion of its casing, together with my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the rotor taken at right angles to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cylinder contacting portion of the rotor abutment; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one form of my invention applied to a rotor; Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a portion ofa rotor to which that form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4; may be applied; Fig; 6 is a side ele: vation looking toward the right in Fig. 4 of the rotor abutment extension shown at the right in Fig. 4 and the parts immediately associated therewith; Fig. 7 is a side elevation partly 'in section of the construction represented in Fig. 6; and, Fig. 8 is a section taken upon the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

The mechanism wherein the packing em bodying my invention may be employed may he an engine ofany suitable type or other operating mechanism necessitating the employment of packing. I have, however,

disclosed the use of the invention in connection with an internal combustion engine adapted to employ an explosive mixture of gas and air.

The engine is peculiarly adapted to an internal combustion engine of the rotary type, but is not, of course, limited to use thereto.

1 contemplate the provision of means effectively to prevent. the escape of the explosive-mixture or other active agent which within the scope of my invention may be any suitable liquid or fluid acting either by contraction or expansion, to accomplish any desired purpose, as, for example, the movement of a rotor or the like, or the storing of the. active agent for further use. In other words, myv invention is applicable not only to internal combustion engines, steam engines, pumps and thelike, but may be employed in various tvpes of air compressor and related mechanisms. Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the inner faces 31 of the end walls of the casing or cylinder and the adjacent end faces 32 of the rotor are represented as in contact. In order,however, to prevent the escape of the explosive mixture employed in this type of my invention, I have provided suitable packing, to be interposed between one or both sets of faces 31 and 32 of the cylinder or casing and rotor. As herein shown I suitably recess preferably both ends of the rotor to receive the packing members, though I desire it to be understood that in the employment of certain forms of packing I may instead r'ecess the inner faces 31 of the casing or cylinder. Viewing, however, the specific form of the invention herein illustrated each end face 32 of the rotor is provided with an annular recess 33, a portion whereof is represented in Fig. 5, said recess being preferably concentric with the shaft 2 and having extending preferably radially therefrom recesses 3%, extending along the end faces of the abutments and preferably collresponding in number to the number of the abutments uponthe rotor. Viewing Flgs. 1 and 5,

' varied as may be deemed necessary. The

other side wall 36 is formed at a suitable inclination to the base of the recess 33. The

angle of inclination of the side wall 36 depends largely upon the pressure employed and may be varied as foun necessary within the scope of my invention. Assuming for purposes of description that each end face 32 of the rotor is provided with the described recess 33, I mount therein suitable packing members which may be substantially complete but split rings or segments of proper extent.

Referring to that specific form of the invention herein shown and more particularly to Fig. 4,1 preferably provide at each end face of the rotor a pair of substantially complete but split rings 37 and 38, mounted one within theother, as illustrated in section in Figs. land 2. Said rings are formed of any suitable material, as, for exam 1e, semi-steel or cast-iron, the outer ring 37 eing formed of a diameter somewhat' exceeding the outside diameter of the recess 33, so that said ring must be compressed in order to be positioned within said recess. The inner ring 38 is preferably formed of a diameter somewhat exceeding theinternal diameter of the ring 37 when the latter is compressed and positioned within the recess 33. If desired each ring may be formed as a plurality of segments, joined in any desired manner.- Any suitable means may be provided to secure the conjoint movement of the rings 37 and 38. Preferably I provide their adjacent faces with interengaging formations. Viewing Figs. 1 and 2, it will be 'notedthat herein the inner ring 38 is provided with an outwardly extending lip 39, extending about said ring to the desired extent. parent, however, that said lip may be formed as interrupted portions at suitable points upon the inner ring. As herein represented said lip 39 co-acts with the angled inner face of the ring 37 to compel conjoint movement of said ring. The outer edge 40 'of the outer ring 37 is inclined complementally to the inclination of the wall 36 ofthe groove 33. As herein represented, the opposite or inner edge 41 of said ring 37 is correspond ingly inclined, although within the scope of my invention such edge 41 may be disposed in any suitable manner. The inner ring 38 is herein represented as having inclined edges 42 and 43 corresponding to the inclination of the edge 40, although within the scope of my inventlon the inner ring 33 may be of any desired form in cross section. I find the form of rings here illustrated, however, productive of excellent results. It-

willbe apparent that, the rings 37 and 38 being positioned upon compression, they tend to expand and hence to move longitudinally 0f theshaft 2 or toward the faces 31, 31 of the casing and also radially outlines in Fig. 4.

It is. ap-

' ward from the shaft 2 upon the inclined sides 36 of the grooves 33, thus forming a tight joint between them and the faces 31, 31 of the casing. The rings 37 and 38 are thus conically variable, and in this particular embodiment of my invention areconically expansible. Moreover they are circumferentially variable." Referring more particularly to Fig. 4, in this type of the invention, each ring '38 is formed with an abutment extension 45, each being disposed preferably 1 diametrically opposite the split portion of the ring from which it extends. The outline of the abutments 4 is indicated in dotted It will therefore be apparent that the extension abutments 44 and 45 of the rings 37 and 38 extend along the end walls 46 of said abutments (see Fig. 1) and preferably to that portion of each abutment that contacts with the inner curved surface of the cylinder or, in other words, to the cylinder contacting portion of the abutment, the outer face of the abutment extensions 44, 45 contacting with the faces 31 of the casing. Viewing Figs. 4 and 5, it will. be

apparent that when the parts are assembled an abutment extension 44 is received within the extension 34 of the recess 33 of the rotor. Any suitable means may be provided to insure movement of the abutment extensions 44 and 45 in-conformity with the described movements of the rings 37 and 38. Preferably I provide means cooperating with the abutment extensions 44 and 45 to insure such movement. Herein for the purpose, each abutment extension is provided with a shoulder 47 inclined at an angle-corresponding to that of the inclination of the outer face 40 of the ring 37, such shoulder being received against a shoulder 48 (see Fig. 5) formed at a suitable point'in the abutment Packing for the casing contacting portion of the abutment may be rovided in any suitable manner. Preferab y, however, I prolong the abutment extensions 44, 45 at a suitable angleas represented-at 49, the outer face of such prolongation extending along a suitable portion of such casing contacting portion of the abutment and beingprefcrably of reduced diameter as compared with I mount them otherwise than upon the rings I 37 and 38, as, for example, upon segments or shoulders of such rings of any desired extent.

As most clearly indicated at the right in Fig. 4, each prolongation 49 is prm'ided with an end 49 of reduced extent adapted to be received within a longitudinal groove or recess 50 formed upon the under side of a bridge member 51 of any suitable formation, the-opposite face 52 whereof is flush with theouterface of the prolongations 49 and contacts with the inner curved face of the casing or cylinder. Preferably, each bridge member 51 is recessed at its opposite ends from its under side to the outer face to receive the inner ends of the prolongations 49. Any suitable means may be employed tosecure the bridging. members to the adjacent prolongations 49. Herein, for the purpose, each of;said prolongaticns is provided with a pin 53 adapted to be receivedawithin' an elongated slot 54 in the bridging member 51 to permit relative movement of said bridging member and said prolongation. Any suitable means may be provided to guide the movement of the bridging members 51. Herein, for the purpose,

I form shoulders-55 upon the abutment as indicated in Fig. 5, against which are re ceived, when the parts are assembled, the ends 56 of the bridging members 51. It will be apparent that asthe-rings 37 and 38' move both longitudinally and radially of the shaft 2, the abutment extensions 44 and 45 and the prolongations 49 partake ofboth of such movements but that the bridging members 51 rhove radially outward from the shaft 2, being guided forsuch movement by the shoulders 55, such relative movement of the bridging members 51 and the rings with their connected parts being. permitted by reason of the pin and slot connection 53 and 54. It will. be apparent that the reduced ends 49 and the pins 53 coiiperate to force the bridging members 51 radially outward and that the pins 53 prevent undue radial movement.

' 7 It is apparent that the bridging member same and the inner rings 382 In that form of my invention wherein I employ abutment extensions 44, Issuitably form such extension to receive the ends of the outer split ring 37. Herein, for the purpose, I undercut the said extensions 44' atthe base thereof and v upon opposite side faces, as indicated most clearly at 58 in Fig. 6, the undercut conforming in shape to the ends of the ring 37, so that the abutment extension 44, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8, is relatively narrow at the back 57 of the ring 38 and widens toward the front face 58 of said ring. The undercut portion of each extension 44 presents a wedge that is interposed between the ends of the, adjacent ring, between which wedge and said ends there results in use a relative movement. In this particular embodimentof my invention the Wedge is integral with one of the rings. Preferably,

I also provide upon the abutment extensions 44 oppositely disposed lips 59 which conform to the formation of the base of the said erably, said lips extend from front to rear 1 of the inner ring 38-, being of gradually increasing height as the front of the ring is approached, so that as the ends of the ring 37 move outwardly they are positioned beneath the undercut portions of the abutment and the lips 59 thereof. It is apparent, however, that any described formation of the ends of the rings 37 and the adjacent portions of the abutment extensions 44 may be provided that will insure a tight oint between said parts and the correct position thereof. Thus, as the parts wear and the ends of the ring 37 work outwardly, a tight joint is still maintained. Any suitable means maybe provided to lubricate the parts. Preferably, I supply oil to the rings 37, 38 and also to the adjacent parts of the mechanism. For that purpose and as indicated in Fig. 1, I may provide in the heads of the cylinder or casing oil inlet pipes or holes 60 introducing oil directly between the rings 37 and 38 an'dthe head of the casing. If desired, I may provide pipes or openings 61 to introduce oil to the space 62 at the rear of the inner ring 38, if the formation of the parts be such as to provide such space whereby a thorough flushing of the parts may be had. It is apparent that pipes or openings 60 or 61 may be provided at either or both end faces of the abutment as may be desired. ,Viewing Fig. 1, it will be apparent that oil introduced into either one or both spaces 62 passes under centrifugal action radially outward beneath the rings 37 and 38 and the abutment extension 44- thereof and the prolongation 49, thence issuing through suitable openings that may be formed at any desired point, as, for example,

'in the prolongations 49 as indicated at 63 in Fig. 4, and through openings 64 formed in the bridging members 51. Viewing Fig. 4, it will be apparent that the outer faces of the abutment extensions 44 and 45 are recesses vworks outward under centrifugalaction along the faces of said rings and the extensions thereof.

. Having thus described one. type or em- 1 bodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive 'sense and not for purposes of tween adjacent members comprising a plu rality of split rings mounted one within another, said rings having interlocking portions to compel unison expansion movementof said rings, one at least of said rings having an inclined edge not contacting with an other'of said ring 2. A packing adapted to be interposed be-' tween adjacent members, comprising a pillrality of split rings located-one within another and the outer one being shaped to pack a right angled joint, the outer edge of the outer ring being inclined from front to rear;

3. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members, comprising a plurality of split rings located one within another and the outer one being shaped to pack a right angled joint, each of said rings being of gradually increasing thickness from.

the split portion thereof to the diametrically disposed portion, one at least of said rings having an inclined edge to engage one of said members.

4. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a split ring having aportion extending. radially outward from the circumference of said ring, said radial portion contacting with at least one of said members and extending radially therebeyond and transversely thereof.

A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a plurality of split rings located one within another, each of said rings being provided with a projection extending radially, outward from the circumference of said ring and thence transversely thereof, said radial protween adjacent members, comprising a split.

ring having a packing portion extending radially outward from the circumference of said ring beyond the outer member and also transversely thereof.

8. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members, comprising a plurality of split rings located one within another, each of said rings being provided with an integral projection extending radially outward from the circumference of said ring and thence transversely thereof.

9. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members, comprising a plurality of split rings located one within another, each of said rings having an extension projecting radially outward from the circumference thereof diametrically. opposite the split portion thereof.

10. A packing-adapted to'be interposed between adjacent members, comprising a split ring having an-extension projecting radially outward from the circumference thereof, the outer edge of said ring being inclined from 'frontto rear and said extension having means to guide the-movement thereof in conformity with the'movement of the ring.

11. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent -members comprising a split ring having an outer edge inclined from front torear and adapted to be seated within a recess having a similarlyinclined side wall, said ring having a portion extending radially outward therefrom and having means to guide said portion.

' 12. A acking adapted to be interposed between a jacent members comprising a split ring having its outer edge inclined from front to rear and adapted to be seated within a recess, one wall of which is similarly inclined, said ring having a radially outward extension' having means to guide it outwardly in conformity with the outward movement of said ring in said recess.

13. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a split ring having an edge inclined from front to rear and an outward radial extension having a shouldered portion inclined in conformity with the inclination of said outer V edge of the ring. 7

14. A-packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a.

split ring having its outer edge inclined from front to rear and provided with a radial outward extension provided with gui'ding'means and a deflected portion.

15. A packing adaptedto be interposed between adjacent members comprising a split ring having an outer edge inclined from front to rear and a radial outward extension said members, each of said rings having an outward radial extension and means joining said radial extensions, whereby the interven ing portion of said member may be packed.

18. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a pair of split rings adapted to be received upon opposite faces of one of'said members, each of said rings havlng an outward radial extension and a bridging member joining said extensions.

19; A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a pair of rings adapted to be received within recesses at opposite faces of one of said members, each of said rings having an outward radial extension and an inclined face and a bridging member joining said extensions, said member being relatively movable with respect to said extensions.

20, A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a pair of split rings adapted to be received within recesses upon opposite faces of one of said members, each ring having an outward radial extension and a portion deflected from such extension and a bridging member joining said deflected portions.

21. A packing adapted to 'be interposed between adjacent members comprising. a pair' of sets of split rings adapted to be received upon opposite faces of one of said members and means uniting the respective members of said pairs of sets.

'22. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a pair of sets of split rings, each ring .having an outward radial extension and means connecting the radial extensions of corresponding rings of said sets.

23. A packing adapted to be received within recesses upon opposite faces of a member and comprising a split ring mounted in each of said recesses, the outer edge of each ring and the corresponding face of the recess being inclined outwardly, and packing 7 means connecting said rings.

24. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a pair of sets ofsplit rings adapted to be received within recesses upon opposite portions of one of said members, the outer edge of one of said rings and the corresponding face of the recess being inclined, each ring being provided with an outward radial extension, and means upon said extensions to compel movement of said extensions in accordance with the movement of said rings.

25. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members, comprising a plurality of split rings mounted one within another, said rings having interengaging portions to compel unison movement of said rings the outer edge of the outer ring being inclined.

26. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a plurality 'of expanding split rings located one within another, and means whereby movementof one ring is imparted to another the outer edge of the outer ring being inclined.

27. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a plurality of expanding split rings located one within another, and means whereby movement of one ring is imparted to another, one at least of said rings having an inclined edge not contacting. with another of said rings.

28. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a plurality of expanding split rings, the outer ring having an outer edge inclined from front to rear and the adjacent edges of said rings having interengaging formations to compel unison, movement of. said rings.

29. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members comprising a. pair of split rings located one within another, the outer ring having an edge inclined from front to rear and the inner ring having a lipprojection at the rear thereof to engage the outer ring, whereby said rings move in unison.

30. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent member s, comprising a plurality of expanding split rings located one within another, the inner ring having an outward, radial extension received between the ends of thesplit ring.

31. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members, comprising a pluralitv of expanding split rings, located one within another, the inner ring having an outwardly extended packing portion re ceived between the ends of the outer ring.

32. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members, comprising a plurality of expanding split rings located one within another, the inner ring having an outward extension to be received between the ends of the outer ring, and means to maintain a tight joint between the inner ring and the end portions of said outer ring. 33. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members, comprising a plurality of split rings. the outer ring having an edge inclined from front to rear to be received within a recess of one of said members, said recess having a correspond ingly inclined face, said inner ring having an outward extension to be received between the ends of the outer ring, and means to maintain a tight joint between the ends of the outer ring and the outer edge of the inner ring. 7

34. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members, comprising an arcuate member having an outward extension provided with an integraldeflected portion.

35. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacent members, comprising an arcuate member having provisions for maintaining the same in position, said member having an outward extension, and means for guiding the movement of said extension.

36. A packing adapted to be interposedbetween adjacent members, comprising a pair of sets of arcuate members, and means connecting the corresponding members of said sets.

37. A packing adapted to be received between adjacent members comprising an expansible packing member and a packing extension disposed at an angle thereto, said extension having a deflected packing portion.

38. A packing adapted to be received between adjacent members comprising a pair of expansible packing members adapted to be positioned upon opposite faces of one of said members and a packing member connecting said faces.

39. A packing adapted to be received between adjacent members comprising a pair of expansible packing members adapted to be positioned upon opposite faces of one of said members, and having inclined edges, cooperating with similar formations upon the member whereon the packing is mounted, and packing means connecting said packing ,members.

40. A packing composed of a plurality of cooperating conically variable, expansible packing members the outer face of the outer member and the inner face ofv the inner member being inclined.

41. A packing composed of two sets of cooperating, conically expansible, packing members shaped to pack joining members arranged at-a right angle and having joining portions.

42. A packing composed of a' plurality of cooperating, conically variable rings having cooperating supplemental end seats.

43. A packing composed of spaced, op

posed, conically, variable, expansible packing members connected by a packing extension 44.

44. A packing composed of a pair of spaced, opposed, conically variable, expansible packing members and an angled, separable, connecting, packing extension therefor.

45. A packing composed of a plurality of cotiperating, conically variable rings having able packing members with an interposed split ring shaped. to pack a right angled joint, said ring having a portion extending radially outward from the circumference of said ring, said radial portion contacting with at least one of said members.

50. A conically Variable packing having an interposed wedge.

51. A conically expansible packing having an interposed wedge.

52. A packing adapted to be interposed between adjacentmembers comprising a split ring having a portion extending radially outward from the circumference of said ring, said radial portion contacting with at least oneof said members and extending radially therebeyond, said split ring being shaped to pack a right angled joint.

53. A packing composed of conically expansible packingmembers shaped to pack a right angled joint, and a wedge interposed between said packing members.

54. A packing adapted to be positioned in the meeting angle of right angularly arranged members, and comprising a plurallty of split ringsmounted one within another.

' said rings having interengaging portions to compel UIllSOll movement of said rings, one at least of said rings having an inclined edge not contacting with another of said rings.

55. A packing adapted to be interposed be tween adjacent members comprising a pair of split rings located one within another. the outer ring having an edge inclined from front to rear and the inner ring having a lip provided with an inclined face at the rear of said ring to engage the outer ring, whereby said rings move in unison.-

56. A packing ada'ptedto be interposed between adjacent members comprising a pair of split rings located one withinanother, the outer edge of the outer ring being inclined from front to rear and'the inner ring having-a lip at-the rear thereof to engage the outer ring, whereby'said rings move in unison.

57 A packing composed of two opposed, spaced, conically expansible packing members having a connecting packing extension and a wedge co-acting with each pack-- ing member.

58. A packing composed of two spaced, 0ppositely inclined, conically expansible packing members anda connecting packing piece.

it: right angles to the planes of said mem- 59. A split packing ring shaped to pack a right angled oint and having an interposed wedge between adjacent portions of said ring and extending to the circumference thereof.

60. A packing composed of two spaced, oppositely inclined, split packing rings, each having an extension in its own plane and a connecting piece between said extensions.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses. i

VVILLIAAI NICHOLS MEARS.

\Vitnesses:

FREDERIC GILBERT BAUER, IRVING U. TOWNSEND. 

